General Information

Mission and Vision

The mission and vision of Jefferson College of Health Sciences provide the foundation for the academic endeavors of the institution. These statements reflect the College's commitment to the learning process and the expanding global climate of healthcare and education.

Mission
Jefferson College of Health Sciences prepares, within a scholarly environment, ethical, knowledgeable, competent, and caring healthcare professionals. We believe that excellence in education encompasses all delivery methods and promotes:

Interdisciplinary and Interprofessional learning;

Diversity of person and thought;

Personal and professional integrity;

Commitment to life-long learning;

Advancement of knowledge through scholarship;

Holistic development of the individual;

Participation in the local and global community.

Vision
Jefferson College of Health Sciences will be nationally recognized as an institution of choice for education in the healthcare professions.

General Education Competencies

The Jefferson College of Health Sciences Core Curriculum is designed to ensure that each degree offered includes a general education component designed to provide a breadth of knowledge from humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics. In combination with the courses specific to the student’s program of study, the Jefferson Core Curriculum prepares graduates to meet the following general education competencies:

Demonstrate proficiency in the application of mathematical reasoning for problem solving,

Use critical thinking that reflects appropriate evidence, ideas, and models for use in decision making, and

Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and through use of appropriate technology.

Core Curriculum
The Jefferson College of Health Sciences Core Curriculum is designed to help ensure that the curriculum for each degree offered by the College leads to student achievement of the educational outcomes.

Associate of Science Core Requirements*
*Courses that focus on skills, techniques, and procedures specific to the student's major are not accepted as part of the core.

Humanities/Fine Arts 6 Hours
PHL 115 3
ENG 111 3

Natural Science/ Mathematics 6 Hours
Natural Science OR Math 6

Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 Hours
Elective 3

Other 2 Hours
GEN 100* 1
IPE 200 1

Total 17 Hours

*Students who have completed 30 semester college credits or an earned degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning may be exempt from GEN 100.

Baccalaureate Degree Core CurriculumStudents must complete coursework from each of the categories described below for a minimum of 30 credits

Bachelor of Science Core Requirements*
*Courses that focus on skills, techniques, and procedures specific to the student's major are not accepted as part of the core.

*Students who have completed 30 semester college credits or an earned degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning may be exempt from GEN 100.

Degree Programs at Jefferson College

To see a full list of academic programs offered at Jefferson College of Health Sciences click here.

Professional and Continuing Education

Jefferson College of Health Sciences' Professional and Continuing Education provides non-college credit bearing courses and seminars that support the mission of the College. The courses and seminars are designed to provide life long learning opportunities for healthcare professionals or provide entry level professional knowledge and skills necessary for individuals desiring to enter the healthcare workforce.

The College offers a variety of professional and personal development programs. More information about these programs is available by clicking here.

The College is approved to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for courses that meet the required criteria. Additionally, the programmatic recognition and/or accreditation is maintained for all courses that require either approval or accreditation status.

The Campus

We are located in historic and beautiful downtown Roanoke within walking distance of numerous restaurants and one of the oldest outdoor markets in Virginia. The College is less than a mile from Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and numerous other outstanding clinical sites.
The main College campus is located at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital (CRCH) (For more maps and directions, click here.) In addition, there are parking garages and additional parking lots available in several adjacent areas.
Classrooms, located throughout the campus, are wired for Internet access. And electronic classroom, skills laboratories and science laboratories for chemistry, microbiology, physics and anatomy and physiology are found at CRCH. Clinical laboratories are housed at CRCH for Respiratory Therapy, Health & Exercise Science and more. The College's well-equipped laboratories are designed to prepare students to work in today's healthcare environment.
The Educational Technology Center (ETC), a computer and testing lab for students use, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with assistance available during specific hours throughout each semester. This lab provides a variety of software resources to students, including Internet access and course-specific resources. There is also a computer lab adjacent to the Jefferson College Library, open during Library hours.
All administrative and offices are located at CRCH.

Institutional Accreditation and Program Approvals

Jefferson College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Jefferson College of Health Sciences.
Jefferson College of Health Sciences is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to operate campuses in Virginia.
In addition to institutional accreditation, the following programs maintain professional accreditation and/or approval:

The baccalaureate degree in nursing and master's degree in nursing at Jefferson College of Health Sciences are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.

The Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at:

AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-2682. Upon graduation from this program graduates must sit for a national registry exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Their offices are located at 12 S. Summit Avenue, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877-4150. NBCOT’s phone number is (301) 990-7979.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program of Jefferson College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, Phone: 703/684-3245, e-mail: mailto:accreditation@apta.org, website: http://www.capteonline.org.

Student Affairs

Student Affairs supports students academically, mentally and socially through tutoring, counseling, study skills development, student activities and residence life. Students can make an appointment for any of these services by calling (540) 985-8395.

Activities and Athletics

The Student Affairs Office hosts several social events each semester.
The Downtown Sports Club and ZOOM fitness center are within walking distance, and the Roanoke Athletic Club (RAC) is located about 5 miles from campus. The Downtown Sports Club and RAC have typical private club membership fees.
We have several intramural clubs, including volleyball, tennis, softball, and basketball. We participate in the Roanoke Parks and Recreation events each year.

Students' Rights to Confidentiality

The College complies with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) as amended, as it relates to student rights, records, release of information and financial aid. Only persons who have a legal right in accordance with the law to access this information will be allowed to review such records. Such records are accessible to authorized College and administrative personnel who may require review and utilization of such records for educational purposes. The student may request, in writing, the opportunity to review the material or to have transcripts sent to other educational institutions in accordance with regulations governing students' records. The College reserves the right to impose reasonable charges for copies should they be requested. Anyone having questions concerning FERPA should contact the Registrar at (540) 985-8481.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Jefferson College of Health Sciences does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity (including transgender status) in its programs and activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Rights Reserved by the College

The College reserves the right to make changes in this catalog, without prior notification, as it relates to programs, personnel, cost, general information or any regulatory policies and procedures. Jefferson College of Health Sciences reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant when it is determined to be in the best interest of the College. No academic information, transcripts or diplomas will be issued for any student who has not met their responsibilities and financial obligations to the College prior to graduation date.